JapanNewbie

Kansai-ben

Japanese 101: Kansai Dialect

We have released our first iPhone application designed to boost your Japanese language abilities! Search the iTunes Store for “Kansai Dialect” (direct iTunes Store link, will launch iTunes App) and you’ll find it, the full application name is “Japanese 101: Kansai Dialect.”

With this application even beginners completely new to Japanese can learn to understand and speak phrases in the Kansai dialect (Kansai-ben). Japanese 101: Kansai Dialect is fully functional on the iPhone and iPod Touch. There is no need to be connected to the Internet when using this application.

Japanese 101: Kansai Dialect includes 240+ Kansai-ben phrases and expressions, including the Japanese text, romaji (Japanese written using English characters), and an English translation for each. Most phrases also include notes that explain what the expression would be in standard Japanese (標準語 hyoujungo) or give other cultural tidbits of interest. You can also hear a native Japanese voice actress from Osaka speak each phrase at native speed and additionally at a slower speed to ensure that you catch every syllable.

Here is an example of a particularly unique Kansai-ben phrase from the application.

どないもならへん。
donai mo nara hen.
“Nothing can be done about it.”
This is similar to “doushiyou mo nai” or “dounimonaranai” in standard Japanese.

Here is the normal speed pronunciation:

Here is the slow speed pronunciation:

If you have seen Japanese comedy game shows, movies, or spoken with Japanese people from Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, or Nara, you’ve probably noticed that they often use phrases and expressions that you cannot find in your textbooks… or even in your dictionary! (See the bottom of the page for some examples!)

These Kansai-jin (people from West Japan, i.e., the Kansai area) are using the colorful and fun expressions from the Kansai dialect. Now you can learn a wealth of key Kansai-ben phrases on your iPhone or iPod Touch.

You can study these Kansai-ben phrases in three different ways with this application.

1) Study Pages: See a list of the phrases and expressions on one convenient, scrollable page organized by category. Touch the phrase of interest to see a page with the Japanese text, the romaji, the English translation, and the notes. Touch again to hear the phrase spoken by a native Japanese voice actress from Osaka at native speed. You can also hear the phrase spoken extra slowly to be sure to catch every syllable.

Study Pages Screenshot

2) Flash Cards: Select one of the categories; choose to display the Japanese or the English on the front of the flashcard; swipe your finger to flip the card to see the meaning and notes; and tap the sound icon to hear it spoken.

3) Quiz Mode: Select one or more categories and 15 random multiple-choice questions will be generated from those categories. Test your knowledge in a fun and interactive way. After the quiz finishes you can review the phrases you missed.

This application was created in cooperation with the team at TheJapanesePage.com, so those familiar with their “Japanese Phrases” and “Japanese Idioms” iPhone applications will know that this is yet another application that beginners and advanced learners alike will enjoy.

If you’re still not convinced, you’ll also get one FREE $5 download from TheJapanShop.com’s instant download collection of Japanese lessons and readers when you purchase this application.

Looking forward to your feedback!

まいどおおきに！
Maido Ookini!

Here’s why knowing Kansai-ben will help you understand Japan… Some examples of Kansai-ben in action…

In the Manga, Anime, and movie “Lovely Complex” (ラブコン in Japanese) all of the characters speak Kansai-ben because the story takes place in Osaka.

Like Comedy? Matsumoto-san and Hamada-san from Downtown speak Kansai-ben! The first few seconds are in standard dialect with a Kansai accent, but before long they’re both speaking Kansai-ben more often than not.

Kansai-ben is everywhere!

Check out this link for some examples of how Kansai-ben differs from standard dialect.

- Harvey